Gymnastic Tool, Apparatus And Method To Carry Out It

ABSTRACT

A gymnastic tool ( 1 ) is formed by at least two impermeable external walls ( 2, 3 ) which are each concave shaped and provided with respective edges ( 4,5 ). The at least two impermeable walls ( 2, 3 ) are mutually fixed together by a connector ( 6 ), the gymnastic tool having at least one inner cavity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of gymnastic andplays apparatus and it refers to a gymnastic tool, in particularlysuitable for the aerobic exercises, for training the equilibrium andcoordinating, of rehabilitating and in the same way suitable forclearance and to the recreation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known gymnastic and plays devices consisting of balloons madeof flexible or elastic material whose forms are assured by anover-pressure at the internal air. Said known devices are fit for manyexercises and games but they are limited by their spherical shape and bytheir balancing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a gymnastic tool whichis very resistant and has symmetry shapes different from the sphericalshapes and can be shaped in almost infinite forms.

Another object is to propose a gymnastic tool which can be ballasted,with liquids, powders or other materials, so that the barycentre can bemoved in respect with the geometric centre and eventually that saidbarycentre can move in almost random manner.

Further object is to propose a gymnastic tool which allows new andefficacious training and rehabilitating exercises and which is alsoamusing.

Another object is to propose an apparatus as well as a method to carryout said apparatus in a simple and economic manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention are evidenced in the following withparticular reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side-view of the gymnastic tool object of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a transversal plane section view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show respectively a reduced view of FIG. 2 and a sectionview at the plane IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show respectively a section view of a variant of the toolof FIG. 1 and a section view at the plane VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a section view of two separate elements of a mould of theapparatus, object of the present invention, to carry out the gymnastictool;

FIG. 8 shows a variant of the mould of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively show a side view and a top view of a secondvariant of the gymnastic tool of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11 and 12 show perspective views of respective further variants ofthe gymnastic tool of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to figures from 1 to 4, numeral 1 indicates the gymnastictool, object of the present invention, comprising two external walls 2,3 impermeable, each of them is concave shaped and is equipped withrespective edges 4, 5 circular fixed mutually by means of a connectingmeans 6.

In an operation condition of the tool, the external walls 2, 3 arealmost spherical cap shaped, each of them having solid angle bigger than180°.

In alternative, the invention provides that one or both caps subtend asolid angle equal to or smaller than 180° and/or and the surface of saidcaps can be almost spherical or lobe shaped, with sectors, for examplesimilarly to the surface of a peeled citrus, or provided withprotrusions or shapes. In case of external walls 2, 3 having lobe shapesor with sectors, the edges 4, 5 obviously are not circular but assume ashaped form for example a daisy shaped form.

The external walls 2, 3 are made of flexible and/or elastic material,for example a non-toxic flexible thermoplastic material after theforming, or a rigid or semi-rigid material. The connecting means 6consist of an impermeable separator which divides the internal cavity ofthe tool in two completely separated chambers 7, 8. Said impermeableseparator of the connection means is made of flexible plastic material,for example PVC or rigid plastic.

The materials of the external walls and of the separator can be ofplastic type including also the bi-component materials and/orpolymerisable materials or mixtures.

The external wall 2, 3 of each separated chamber 7, 8 comprises a valvemeans 9 of the type fit for gas and liquid, to inflate said walls andfor the possible insertion of ballast liquid in one or both of thechambers 7, 8. each valve means is applied to the respective externalwall preferably at zenithal or azimuthal position.

Each flexible or elastic external wall or else each rigid external wallassumes the spherical cap shape with solid angle bigger than 180° in theoperation condition in which the respective chamber 7, 8 has apredetermined pressure respectively bigger or also equal to theenvironmental pressure.

If one or both external walls of spherical cap shaped having solid angleequal to or smaller than 180°, said walls can be made of flexible andelastic material or of rigid material. In particular the tool can assumea lenticular biconvex lens shape with one or both rigid walls.

The variant of the tool shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 provides that theconnecting means 6 consist of a separator with a centre hole 30 and thatit separates the cavity in two communicating chambers. In this variantit is sufficient to have only one valve means.

The variant of the tool shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 provides that theconnecting means 6 and the edges 4, 5 of the external walls 2, 3 are notcircular but are elliptic shaped, as shown in FIG. 10, or oval, orsmoothed triangle shaped or similar.

The shape of this variant allows, for instance, to train the user'sbalance particularly in the front-back or side directions according tothe orientation of the shorter axis of the connecting means 6.

In the variant of the tool shown in FIG. 11, the external walls 2, 3 areshaped with protruding meridian lobes 40, similarly to the surface of apeeled citrus. In this variant the edges 4, 5 can be not circular andcan assume a daisy like shape. In alternative the external walls 2, 3can be shaped as protruding parallel lobes, each shaped as an annularportion of a torus. These shapes allow the tool to assume bothrelatively stable positions in respect to the environment and/or to theuser and to assume unstable positions providing a different training.The shape of this variant further provide unexpected reactions andrebounds and it allows user or users to play in original manner.

In the variant of the tool shown in FIG. 12, the shapes of the externalwalls 2, 3 are different, for instance, one 2 is shaped with protrudingmeridian lobes 40 and the other 3 is shaped as protruding parallel lobes41. This variant allow the tool to provide further trainings and/orplays and to change the effect thereof simply utilizing an externalwalls 2 or the other 3.

The invention further provides that one of the two airtight externalwalls 2 is shaped with protruding meridian lobes 40 or with protrudingparallel lobes 41 and the other 3 is spherical cap shaped. This variantallows, for instance, to vary the balance and or the reactions of thetool in respect to the user's actions.

A further simple variant of the tool, which can be understood withoutasking specific figures, provides that the connecting means areconstituted by a annular means almost ring shaped or having thincircular rim. Said annular means is flexible and inextensible.

A further variant not shown provides that the tool is provided withthree or more external walls mutually fixed by means of more connectingmeans 6. In this manner, the tool can have a “sausages” shape withtripod or many others.

The operation of the gymnastic tool provides that it can be ballasted ornot and can be manipulated according to predetermined exercise schemasor free manner and/or the game manner. It is also provided that thetool, for example in case it is carried out in lenticular biconvex lensshape, can be used as support partially or totally unstable for theuser.

The apparatus for carrying out the gymnastic tool comprises a mould 22whose elements 20, 21 are schematically shown in the FIG. 7 in a removedaway condition.

The apparatus comprises tightening means, which is known and not shown,fit to translate mutually and to tighten the two elements 20, 21 of themould 22.

The internal face of each element 20, 21 is spherical cap shaped havingsolid angle equal to or slightly smaller than 180°, with sphericalsurface or lobe shape, sectors or provided with depressions or shapes.

The elements 20, 21 have, at zenithal and azimuthal position, respectiveinlets 24 which can be closed and opened by means of respective openingmeans 23, for example of screw-type.

Each opening means 23 is equipped with supporting means 25 protrudinginside the element in the closing condition of the corresponding inlet,and fit to support a valve means, or one connection thereof, to beincorporated into the external walls 2, 3 of the tool.

The edges 26, 27 of the two elements 20, 21 have respective optionalregister annular means 28 assigned to the perfect mutual alignment ofthe two elements and eventually to shear, by their sharpened edge notshown, the portion protruding from the connection means.

Said edges 26, 27 can be also equipped with optional annular housingmeans 29 fit to house the pre-cut edge according to measure of theconnecting means 6.

In alternative the tightening means can be equipped with a knife to cutthe protruding portion of the connecting means.

The variant of the mould of FIG. 8 is different from that of FIG. 7 dueto the fact that the two elements 20, 21 of the mould 22 have respectiveinner faces of spherical cap shape with angle bigger than 180°. Also inthis case the inner surface can be perfectly spherical or lobe shapedsector type or otherwise shaped. Obviously said mould, due to theundercuts, does not render to the use of plastic or resins substancesthat, at the mounding term, they become rigid.

The operation to carry out the gymnastic tool by means of theabove-mentioned apparatus and according to the method object of thepresent invention comprises the following steps:

to position, by means of the tightening means, the lower member 20 ofthe mould 22, having the inlet 24 closed by the opening means 23 andspaced apart from the upper member 21 and having the respective edge 26almost horizontal and oriented upward;

to put a valve means or a connector thereof onto the support means 25 ofsaid opening means 23;

to pour into the lower member 20, through its edge 26, a plasticmaterial of the kind and in the quantity fit for forming thecorresponding external wall 2;

to put the connecting means 6 above the edge 26 of the lower member 20and, if it consists of a separator cut to fit it, to put the edgesthereof onto the possible annular housing means 29 of said edge;

by means of the tightening means, to tight the members 20, 21 of themould 22 clamping the connecting means 6;

to take away the opening means 23 from the inlet 24 of the upper member21;

if the connecting means 6 consist of an airtight separator, to applyonto the support means 25 of this latter opening means 23 a valve meansor a connector thereof;

to pour into the upper member 21, through the respective inlet 24, aplastic material of the kind and in the quantity fit for forming thecorresponding external wall 3 and of the same kind or different kind ofmaterial poured into the lower member 20;

to close said inlet 24 by means of the opening means 23;

to introduce the mould 22, by means of the tightening means or togetherwith them, into a molding oven for example of heated rotation mouldtype.

at the end of the heating and of the rotation, to take out the mould 22,to open it and to take out the formed tool;

to perform the possible blowing and/or the possible filling of thechamber 7, 8 or of the inner cavity, through the at least one valvemeans 9.

The method provides furthermore to use the connecting means 6 consistentin a sheet or in a separator of flexible material, for example of PVC,or rigid material.

The method provides also the steps to use a plastic material for formingof the flexible or elastic external walls 2, 3, for example an elasticthermoplastic non-toxic material after the heat-moldings. It is alsoprovided, in particular but not exclusively when an element 20, 21internally having spherical cap shape with solid angle smaller than180°, to use a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material following themolding to form rigid or semi-rigid walls 2, 3 with solid angles smalleror even bigger than 180°.

An advantage of the present invention is to propose a gymnastic toolwhich is very resistant and has symmetry forms different from thespherical form and can be shaped in almost infinite forms.

Another advantage is to propose a gymnastic tool which can be ballastedwith liquids, powders or other materials, so that the barycentre can bemoved in respect with the geometric centre and eventually that saidbarycentre can move in almost random manner.

Further advantage is to propose a gymnastic tool which allows new andefficacious training and rehabilitating exercises and which is alsoamusing.

Another advantage is to propose an apparatus as well as a method tocarry out said apparatus in a simple and economic manner.

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A gymnastic tool (1) comprising: at least twoexternal walls and at least one inner cavity, said external walls beingat least two impermeable external walls (2, 3) which are concave shaped,each impermeable external wall having respective facing edges (4,5),connecting means (6) disposed between the respective facing edges of theat least two external walls, the connecting means fixing the respectiveedges together.
 19. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 whereineach of the at least two impermeable external walls (2, 3), when thegymnastic tool is in an operative condition, being in the form of aspherical cap which extends for a solid angle equal to, greater than orless than 180°.
 20. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 wherein theconnecting means (6) consist of an impermeable separator which dividesthe at least one inner cavity into two separated chambers (7, 8). 21.The gymnastic tool according to claim 20 wherein the connecting meanscontain a central hole (30), the connecting means dividing the at leastone inner cavity into two separated chambers which communicate via thecentral hole (30).
 22. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 whereinthe connecting means (6) and the edges (4, 5) of the at least twoimpermeable external walls (2, 3) have a circular, elliptical, oval orsmoothed triangle shape.
 23. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18wherein at least one of the impermeable external walls (2, 3) is made offlexible or resilient material.
 24. The gymnastic tool according toclaim 18 wherein the connecting means are at least partially flexible orrigid.
 25. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 further comprisingat least one valve means (9) mounted to at least one impermeableexternal wall for admitting a fluid to the at least one inner cavity.26. The gymnastic tool according to claim 20 further comprising at leasttwo valve means (9) mounted for admitting a fluid to the two separatedchambers.
 27. The gymnastic tool according to the claim 19 wherein atleast one of the external impermeable walls (2, 3) is a spherical caphaving an angle greater than 180° in the operative condition in whichthe at least one respective chamber (7, 8) is under a predeterminedpressure greater than a pressure of the environment.
 28. The gymnastictool according to claim 18 wherein at least one of the externalimpermeable walls (2, 3) is shaped to have protruding meridian lobes(40).
 29. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 wherein at least oneof the external impermeable walls (2, 3) is shaped to have protrudingparallel lobes (41), each lobe being an annular portion of a torus. 30.The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 wherein the at least twoimpermeable external walls (2, 3) have substantially identical shapes.31. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 wherein the at least twoimpermeable external walls (2, 3) have different shapes.
 32. Thegymnastic tool according to claim 18 wherein one of the two impermeableexternal walls (2) is shaped to have protruding meridian lobes (40), andthe other (3) impermeable external wall is shaped as a spherical cap.33. The gymnastic tool according to claim 18 wherein one of the twoimpermeable external walls (2) is shaped to have protruding parallellobes (41), and the other impermeable external wall (3) is shaped as aspherical cap.
 34. An apparatus for producing the gymnastic tool ofclaim 18 comprising: tightening means assigned to mutually translate andto tighten at least two members (20, 21) of a mould (22) where the innerface of each mould member (20, 21) is shaped in a form of a sphericalcap with a solid angle smaller than 180° or equal to or greater than180°, whose surface is spherical or shaped in a form of lobes, orsectors or provided with depressions or shapes; at least one of themould members (20, 21), preferably both of the mould members (20,21),provided, in a zenith or azimuth position, with an opening means (23)for opening and closing an inlet (24) of the respective mould member;said opening means (23) having support means (25) protruding inward ofthe mould member when in a closed condition, for supporting a valvemeans to be embedded into the external walls (2, 3).
 35. The apparatusaccording to claim 34 wherein the edges (26, 27) of the mould members(20, 21) are received in register with respective annular means (28),optional annular housing means (29) being assigned to house the edge ofthe connecting means (6) which is sized to fit the annular housingmeans.
 36. A method for marking the gymnastic tool of claim 18comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 34; positioning, by meansof the tightening means, a lower mould member (20), having the inlet(24) closed by the opening means (23), spaced from an upper mould member(21) and having the respective edge (26) almost horizontal and upwardoriented; placing a valve means or a connector thereof onto the supportmeans (25) of said opening means (23); pouring a plastic material, of akind and in a quantity fit for forming the corresponding external wall(2), into the lower mould member (20), through the respective edge (26);placing the connecting means (6) over the edge (26) of the lower member(20) and, if it consists of a separator sized to fit it, placing theedges thereof onto an optional annular housing means (29) for said edge;using the tightening means to tighten the mould members (20, 21),thereby clamping the connecting means (6); removing the opening means(23) from the inlet (24) of the upper mould member (21); if theconnecting means (6) consists of an airtight separator, applying ontothe support means (25) of said opening means (23) a valve means or aconnector thereof; pouring a plastic material, of a kind and in aquantity fit for forming the corresponding external wall (3), into theupper mould member (21), through the respective inlet (24), saidmaterial being either the same or different from the plastic materialpoured into the lower mould member (20); closing said inlet (24) usingthe opening means (23); introducing the mould (22) into a forming ovenand simultaneously warming and rotating the mould; removing the mould(22) from the forming oven, opening the mould and taking the formed toolout of the mould; performing a possible blowing and/or filling of thechambers (7, 8) or inner cavity of the tool through the at least onevalve means (9).
 37. The method according to claim 36 further comprisingthe steps of: using connecting means (6) consisting of a sheet orseparator made of a flexible material or a rigid material; using aflexible or resilient plastic material, or rigid plastic material, forforming the external walls (2, 3).